Page 53 of Switching Skates

I nod as a question pops into my mind. “Do I get any buns? Or do I just eat them without it?”

“Yes, you get buns.” She grabs a grocery bag from on top of the fridge. “For hamburgers at least. I’ve never found a hot dog bun that even compares to the real thing. Most crumble and fall to pieces just from being touched. But these?” She holds a sealed pack of rolls up. “These are the best things ever. I use them for sandwiches, hamburgers, you name it. I’ve even cut hot dogs in half and eaten them like that on a bun.”

I read the label.Schar ciabatta rolls. Yellow and white on clear packaging. Noted. I’ll remember that for later.

“How are you feeling?” I ask her, leaning against the kitchen island, studying her intently.

“As in cooking or like existentially because I’m still stuck in your body?” She rests her hands on the counter.

I bite back a chuckle. “Both.”

“I feel fine about grilling. It seems pretty straightforward. And as for this?” She gestures between us. “I’m starting to wonder if we’ll ever find a way to switch back.”

Her eyes water, and my heart sinks.

“Don’t cry. I promise you, we’ll find a way. Somehow.”

She blinks away the wetness and the walls that usually exist in her stare. “Thistransferring schoolthing would have been a whole lot easier if I could’ve spent this year avoiding you.”

My chest twists with a blade at her raw confession. I know this has been hard on her. Even more so that I’ve never given her any kind of explanation, which she deserves.

“I’m so fucking sorry, Daph—” My voice is pained, and I’m abruptly interrupted when Maeve and Jackson walk back inside.

Of course they come in right when we’re about to have arealconversation.

“Tonight is going to be amazing!” Maeve sings and prances over to me, throwing her arm around my shoulders. “And we’re all going to have so much fun.”

She eyes Daphne extra hard on the wordfun.

As if on cue, the front door swings open, and Ross and Chet walk in like they own the place.

“Party’s here!” Chet cheers, lifting two cases of beer into the air as Ross laughs beside him. “Oh, this place is beautiful!”

“Thank God. I was worried tonight would be a dud if you didn’t show up,” Daphne scoffs and crosses her arms.

Hmm, my arms actually look huge in that position.

Chet walks over to the fridge and opens the door before immediately closing it and setting the cases on the counter next to it. “We’ll have to find some room for these bad boys.”

“Are the two cases in there not enough?” I chuckle, and Chet lights up with excitement at my tease.

I quickly remember that he thinks it’s Daphne giving him shit, not me. Oh God, this fuck probably thinks I’m flirting with him.

Chet winks at me and wets his lips. “Clearly, you haven’t seen me at a party, shortcake.”

I laugh, and it takes everything in me not to actually gag from hearing one of my best friends say that while winking at me.

I push off from the island, not even entertaining his comment. “I’ll be right back.”

The front door swings open, and Zach and Brock walk through. The noise level instantly increases by ten.

Taking a moment to have a bit of peace before everyone else shows up, I slip upstairs and head into Daphne’s room.

When I plop down on her bed, a jolt of pain shoots through my abdomen. Oh my God, that was weird.

It happens again, but this time, it lasts twice as long, an aching throb following the jolt.

What the hell?